Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India is the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and affects the eyes. It spreads through contact with secretions from the eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat of infected individuals. If untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. It primarily affects communities in poor environmental conditions, with 150 million people worldwide at risk, including 6 million who are blind.

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Ahmedabad University has launched The Climate Institute, focusing on research, education, and impact to address climate issues. The Institute is developing India’s first comprehensive Climate, Energy, and Environmental education program for future leaders. It operates in three areas: Energy and Climate Change, Cities and Settlements, and Air and Water, promoting interdisciplinary research and partnerships to inform policy design and innovation.

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Gujarat has announced to establish a Caracal Breeding and Conservation Center in Kutch’s Chadva Rakhal region with a ₹10 crore budget. The center aims to protect and breed the critically endangered Caracal, found in Kutch. The announcement was made by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during Wildlife Week celebrations. Although listed as ‘least concern’ globally by the IUCN, Caracals are critically endangered in India. A study confirmed 19 Caracal sightings in Gujarat, all in Kutch, with 9 authenticated by photos. Caracals in India face habitat loss and are protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act.

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India’s men’s team won the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships after losing 3-0 to Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals. This is India’s third consecutive bronze in the men’s team event, following 2021 and 2023. India has won a total of seven bronze medals at the Asian Table Tennis Championships. Indian players faced tough competition against higher-ranked opponents.

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The “Steadfast Noon” exercise is a major NATO nuclear drill is scheduled to take place on October 13, 2024. It will involve 2,000 personnel and 60 aircraft from 13 nations, primarily conducted in the North Sea, approximately 900 kilometers from Russia. This exercise has been held annually for over a decade and aims to demonstrate NATO’s readiness to counter threats to its member countries, particularly in light of recent changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine.

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South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Korean to receive this honor. Her work is known for its “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and the fragility of life. Notable works include The Vegetarian (Man Booker International Prize winner in 2016), The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons.

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The Indonesian government plans partial closures of Komodo National Park in 2025 to mitigate the negative impacts of a growing number of tourists on the fragile ecosystem, primarily aimed at protecting the iconic Komodo dragons. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard species, scientifically known as Varanus komodoensis. It lives on Komodo Island and nearby Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Komodo dragons grow up to 3 meters long, weigh about 135 kg, and have yellow, forked tongues. They can reproduce through parthenogenesis when isolated from males. Known for their venomous bite, they can occasionally attack humans. Lifespan is 30 years, and they are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane and congratulated him on hosting the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits. They highlighted the restoration of Vat Phou, a UNESCO site, supported by India, as strengthening bilateral ties. Agreements were signed in defence, broadcasting, customs cooperation, and Quick Impact Projects under Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. The projects include preserving the Lao Ramayana, restoring Wat Pakea temple with Ramayana artwork, and supporting a shadow puppetry theatre in Champasak province.

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Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced a “Constitution Glorification Campaign” for the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution on November 26. The campaign will take place in every village across the country. Its goal is to raise awareness about the Constitution, its significance, and the Assembly debates. The initiative aims to highlight how the government has strengthened the Constitution. The campaign will be managed by the Union Ministry of Culture.

Notes:
A new species of spider, named Tenkana jayamangali, has been discovered at the origin of the Jayamangali River in the Devarayanadurga reserve forest. This spider has been recognized as a new genus of Tenkana jumping spiders by arachnologists. The new genus contains two species currently classified within the ‘manu’ group. The male and female specimens were analyzed, revealing DNA that did not match any known species, leading to the new genus identification. The spider is ground-dwelling and found in southern Indian states and northern Sri Lanka. It inhabits complex microhabitats like shaded grasses with dry leaf litter and simpler areas with short grasses in rocky, dry regions.